Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 91: Bai Jingjing Goes to Water Curtain Cave

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Bai Jingjing Goes to Water Curtain Cave

Wukong this time truly met his match, as the Nine-Headed Bug had reached the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm and possessed nine formidable Great Banners, trapping Wukong and momentarily preventing his escape.

It was ultimately a gap in realms. If Wukong had also reached the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm, a sweep of his horsetail whisk would likely have toppled the nine Great Banners. The divide between a Great Luo Golden Immortal and a Taiyi Golden Immortal is profound, and even augmenting it with mana proved insufficient to completely bridge this gap.

The Nine-Headed Bug was merely formidable in its innate divine ability and possessed nine Yin Banners. Yet, it could fight Wukong to a standstill, who had many powerful Magical Treasures and had even slain evil spirits. The gap was apparent.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist scoffed and said, "Thinking you can wear me out is not so easy!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and integrated the scythe and axe into the Great Seal, directly invoking the seal to strike.

The Nine-Headed Bug inadvertently got grazed by the seal, and his face changed drastically. Blood spurted out, and he retreated rapidly, shouting, "What kind of Magical Treasure is this, so formidable!"

After speaking, he rolled through the void and suddenly revealed his true form, "Feathers spread like brocade, bodies like tufts. A size of three feet two all around, as long as a chelonian. Two feet as sharp as hooks, nine heads clustered together. His wings spread wide for excellent flight, outmatching the roc in strength; his calls resonate far, surpassing even the immortal cranes in pitch. Eyes flashing with golden lights, his spirit pridefully unmatched by common birds!"

Upon seeing this, Yuan Hong softly exclaimed, "Such a formidable Nine-Headed Bug, born from the Xiang Liu and Gui Che!"

The Nine-Headed Bug was neither snake nor bird but a combination of both.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist, unfazed, continually stepped back through the void, drawing his bow and notching it with nine arrows, all on the Sun Shooting Divine Bow. The killing intent filled the air, and True Sunfire encircled, shooting up to the Nine Heavens where nine Golden Crows were crowing loudly.

This Sun Shooting Bow was the nemesis of the Golden Crow Clan, especially effective against them. When used against others, the mystical effect was somewhat lost, a manifestation of causality. This bow was crafted specifically for shooting and countering nine Great Luo Golden Immortal Golden Crows.

The body of the Nine-Headed Bug, hundreds of yards long, blocked out the sun. Its nine heads flailed, thundering, firing, and spewing poison smoke...

The Heaven-Defying Taoist somersaulted, aimed at the head of the Nine-Headed Bug, and released his hold—a whirlwind of nine arrows shot forth, rending the void with continuous sounds, "Nine Arrows that Settle Mountains and Rivers!"

This was the most powerful among the Sun Shooting Nine Arrows, named Nine Arrows that Settle Mountains and Rivers, shooting forth like meteors chasing the moon.

The world seemed to darken in an instant, with only nine trails of golden light slashing through the void, terrifyingly imposing!

The Nine-Headed Bug, now in his true form, displayed even greater innate divine ability. His nine heads danced wildly, and the crescent shovel transformed into a new moon looming overhead.

"Boom!"

The nine arrows fell each finding their mark. Fortuitously, the Nine-Headed Bug’s divine skills had interfered, causing the nine arrows to veer off slightly—some hit his wings, others his shoulders, and yet others his belly... Immediately, a violent shower of blood rained down, his roars shaking the heavens, as the Nine-Headed Bug writhed in pain, flattening mountains in his agony.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist wielded the Great Revolution Seal in midair, seizing the moment to strike down on the Nine Luminaries Yin Soul Great Formation. The scythe and axe were set in place, and with a thunderous "Boom," the nine Great Banners wavered but stood firm. Seeing his chance, Wukong swept his azure lotus, a burst of blue light flourishing and enveloping the hundred-yard-tall specter. Holding the horsetail whisk in his other hand, another sweep unleashed a cascade of Seven-Colored Divine Light, causing the nine Great Banners to suddenly rise, seemingly ready to fall off.

Who could have foreseen this? A poem bears witness, it says: "Yin Qi spans the sky up to the Nine Heavens, two divine beings display their fierce might. A great battle stirs the Southern Ridge, seas boiling, rivers overturning, the sky painted black."

Wukong channeled the Primordial Great Strength Technique, flicked his staff, and straightaway smashed the void into powder, the wind chaotically blowing, hitting one of the Great Banners squarely and sending it flying outwards, yet it didn’t break, showing the rarity of such a treasure!

As the formation broke, the Heaven-Defying Taoist wielded the Great Seal toward the specter enveloped in blue light and struck it squarely, smashing the specter into a million yin souls which then flew into the nine Yin Banners.

The Nine-Headed Bug, having just recovered, pulled out the nine arrows in his body, instantly spurting blood like a fountain.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist and Wukong, having broken the Nine Luminaries Yin Soul Great Formation, advanced and surrounded the Nine-Headed Bug.

Wukong sneered, "Nine-Headed Bug, do you yield?"

The Nine-Headed Bug, reverting to his original form and covered in blood, cried, "I yield! I yield! What else do you want?"

As the saying goes, even the valiant do not suffer immediate losses, and if even the valiant refuse, let alone a villain like the Nine-Headed Bug.

Wukong then said, "If you comply, that’s good. I won’t kill you! But remember, you cannot force Bai Jingjing. If you dare to do so again, beware that I might incite the demons of Water Curtain Cave to attack your lair."

Left without a choice, the Nine-headed Worm nodded reluctantly and said, "Alright."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist said, "You must swear to Heaven for me to believe you."

Helpless, the Nine-headed Worm was forced to swear to Heaven, and then the matter was dropped.

Yuan Hong stepped forward, scrutinized the Nine-headed Worm with his gaze, but said nothing, already knowing that this Nine-headed Worm was a descendant of Ghost Chariot and Xiang Liu. His impression of Xiang Liu and Ghost Chariot was not favorable. They stirred trouble during the Ancient Times, but during the battle against the Chaos Heaven Demon, these two hid themselves.

Wukong said, "Well, since you’ve also made an oath, I won’t press you further. Just remember, do not commit any evil acts, or I won’t let you off easily."

The Nine-headed Worm nodded repeatedly, yet deep inside pondered returning to craft two powerful Magical Treasures to regain his dignity.

Taking up the Nine Yin Banner, the Nine-headed Worm left, vanishing in an instant.

Moments later, Bai Jingjing emerged slowly from the Cave Abode and knelt down to Wukong and the others.

"Many thanks to Heaven-Defying for your help, Bai Jingjing is immensely grateful!" Bai Jingjing said earnestly.

"It’s nothing, the Nine-headed Worm and I are old adversaries. Having a fight with him today was just right to regain some face," Wukong chuckled.

Bai Jingjing said, "Without Heaven-Defying’s help, I really wouldn’t know what to do! Many thanks, Heaven-Defying. Having seen your might today, I am willing to join the ranks of Water Curtain Cave. Please, Heaven-Defying, grant me this honor."

In these times of chaotic power dynamics, with a great catastrophe imminent, Bai Jingjing’s Cultivation Level was low, now only a High Immortal. Even reaching the level of Superior Immortal might take a hundred years or more, let alone becoming a Taiyi Golden Immortal, which was even further beyond reach. In such turbulent times, with such strength, it was difficult to protect oneself.

With the rising of this generation’s Heaven-Defying, Water Curtain Cave grew prominent, with myriad demons coming to pay homage. If he could join Water Curtain Cave, it would help him face this imminent catastrophe.

After a moment’s contemplation, Wukong said, "Well, that can be arranged. I’ll draw a talisman for you, and you can take it to Water Curtain Cave to join."

Having said this, he lifted the World-Cleansing Dust Whisk, and drawing in the void, golden light flashed and stars shone. In a moment, a talisman was completed. With a slight gesture, the talisman headed towards Bai Jingjing, who hurriedly extended both hands to catch it, holding it as if it were a fragile treasure.

"Many thanks, Heaven-Defying!" Bai Jingjing bowed again.

"No need for such formalities," Wukong quickly said.

He had once not bowed to anyone, only having bowed to Patriarch Subhuti. After being suppressed for five hundred years, his wild nature was subdued; he had bowed to Guanyin, Tang Sanzang, Tathagata, and even the Jade Emperor... Now, recalling this made his face burn hot with discomfort and nausea, and he was even more determined to destroy those deceitful gods and Buddhas.

Wukong then said, "Just remember, in the future, do not kneel and bow to me casually, or do not blame me if I get angry."

Bai Jingjing joyfully said, "I’ll remember!"

Wukong then said, "You may go now."

Bai Jingjing nodded, not saying anything more. After arranging things in his Cave Abode, collecting all his belongings, he left. By the time he came out, Wukong and the others were already gone. He then used his Escape Technique and headed towards Water Curtain Cave.

There were many demons like Bai Jingjing, who realized that a great catastrophe was approaching and that with their Cultivation Levels, they would not be able to survive it. So, upon Wukong proclaiming himself Emperor and announcing his mighty great vow, they all headed to Water Curtain Cave. Freedom—this word is immensely attractive to both humans and demons... or rather, to any sentient, thinking being that craves freedom.

Having settled the matter with the Nine-headed Worm, Wukong, feeling joyous, went with Yuan Hong towards the Vermilion Bird Clan.

This Vermilion Bird Clan occupied a region, holding more than seventy cities in an area spanning over a hundred thousand miles. They were highly formidable, though still inferior to the Golden Crow Clan and the Dragon Clan.

As the two traveled, their previous enthusiasm diminished, and they hastened their steps, employing their Escape Technique. Within half a day, they had arrived in Vermilion Bird City, the main city of the Vermilion Bird Clan.